Dry pipe valve



July 6, 1937. c ROWLEY 2,086,438

DRY PIPE VALVE Filed Jan. 21, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 6, 1937. A. c. ROWLEY 2,086,438

DRY PIPE VALVE Filed'Jan. 21, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 6, 1937. A. c. ROWLEY I DRY PIPE VALVE Filed Jan. 21, 1936 4 SheefsSheet 3 A. C. ROWLEY DRY PIPE VALVE July 6, 1937.

Filed Jan. 21, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 III /////////f l Patented July 6, 1937 UNITED stares PATENT orrics Application January 21, 1936, Serial No. 60,148

12 Claims.

This invention relates to dry pipe valves for automatic sprinkler systems, and a principal object of the invention is to provide a generally improved valve of this type.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide in a valve of the stated character improved type of electrically-actuated accelerator affording quick opening of the valve after a predetermined loss of pressure in the dry pipe system.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved form of tripping device for the valve adapted for operation either with or without the accelerator device.

The invention further contemplates the provision, in connection with the aforedescribed mechanisms, of a novel electric circuit closer actuated by loss of pressure in the dry pipe system and having superior characteristics of stability and sensitivity.

The invention further resides in the provision of a complete system of alarms both electrical and mechanical, and in certain novel structural and mechanical features hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the attached drawings, in which Figure l is a diagrammatic showing of the valve and its various adjuncts, including the electrical system;

Fig. 2 is an elevational and partial sectional 0 view of the dry pipe valve;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the pressure-actuated circuit closer.

With reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, 5 is 235 the portion of the dry pipe system which immediately adjoins the dry pipe valve 2, and 3 is the water main provided with the usual manually-operated control valve 4. 5 is a housing forming in effect an extension of the casing of the dry pipe valve 2 and constituting an enclosure for elements of the trip mechanism hereinafter described in detail. 6 is an electrically-operated quick-opening valve constituting an element of the accelerator device, this valve being adapted for actuation by a circuit closer "i, which as hereinafter described is operatively connected with the dry pipe system i. S is an electric alarm connected in an electrical system associated with the circuit closer I, and 9 is a mechanical alarm actuated as hereinafter described by how of water from the casing of the dry pipe valve.

The construction of the dry pipe valve is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. As shown in. the latter figure, this valve comprises a clapper ii pivotally mounted upon a pin l2 and normally seating upon a flexible rubber annulus 13 mounted in the valve body. The clapper is held to this seat by action of a latching lever i lpivoted at E5 in the valve body and adapted to swing about its pivot to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, to release the clapper. This release movement of the lever M is normally prevented by a secondary latching lever l6 pivot-- ally mounted at it in the valve body and carrying a transverse pin l8 which normally engages the upper end of the lever Hi, as shown in Fig. 3. The arrangement is such that swinging movement of the lever IE to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, about its pivot ll disengages the pin Hi from the lever it and releases the latter, so that the water pressure on the under side of the clapper it may force the clapper away from its seat. The latching lever l8 further comprises a transverse pin i9, the function of which will be hereinafter described.

The latching lever 16 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 3 by means of a plunger 2| which is slidably mounted in a guideway in the valve casing. The inner end of this plunger is provided with a head '23, the end of which abuts a depending tail portion 24 of the lever 6. The outer face of the head, in the normal position of the parts, is abutted by a second depending portion of the lever E8, the head portion of the plunger being confined between these depending portions 2 and 2b. The plunger 2i has a reduced outer end portion 2 forming a shoulder which is engaged by a series of spheres 2i acting, as hereinafter described, to retain the plunger in the normal locking position, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the valve clapper is locked in the closed position upon the annulus iii. The spheres H are supported in recesses in the outer end of the guide support of the plunger ill and are embraced by a sleeve 28, the inner end of which, of wedgelike formation, functions when the sleeve is in the normal position shown in Fig. 3 to hold the spheres 23 in the depressed or plunger-locking position. When the sleeve 28 is moved inwardly,

as hereinafter described, the spheres 21 are released and are permitted to move away from the plunger 2! to an extent releasing the plunger and permitting it to move in the direction of the ar row shown in Fig. 3. This release of the plunger 26 by the spheres 2? permits the water pressure in the main 3 and acting on the under side of the clapper i l to force the clapper from its seat, swinging the levers i4 and G6 to the left, as in-- cheated by the arrow in Fig. 3.

The outer end of the sleeve 22 is provided with a plunger extension 29 which is slidably supported in a hollow boss 3: on the inner side of the housing 5. The base portion of the plunger 29 is threaded at 32 for reception or" an internally threaded flange 33 which functions as a nut to secure to the outer end of the sleeve 28 one end of a sylphon bellows 34, the other end of this bellows being clamped at 35 in the casing. The boss 3i also forms a support for a coiled spring 30 which exerts pressure upon the outer end of the sleeve tending to move it to the right in Fig. 3.

The sylphon 34 partitions the interior of the casing 5 into two chambers, the inner chamber 36 being in communication with the dry pipe system. To this end, the plunger 23 is provided with grooves 317, and the inner end of the plunger is made hexagonal in form so that passage is provided between this part and the inner cylindrical surface of the plunger guide 22. A mospheric pressure is admitted to the outer chamber 38 of the casing 5 through a check valve (not shown), and the chamber 38 also communicates through a duct M with the chamber 42 of the valve structure 6. The upper chamber 43 of this valve communicates through a duct 44 with the casing of the valve 2 on the sprinkler system side of the clapper II. The chambers 42 and 43 are normally separated from each other by the electrically-actuated valve element 45, this element being connected with an electric motor in the form preferably of a solenoid or electromagnet in the casing 46. The valve 6 also comprises a bypass 4? between the chambers 42 and 43, which is normally closed by a springpressed valve 48. This spring is calibrated to permit opening of the bypass by a predetermined relatively high pressure in the chamber at, as hereinafter described.

The actuating motor of the valve 6 is connected in an electric circuit which includes the circuit closer I. This circuit closer is shown in section in Fig. 4. It comprises a casing formed preferably of a suitable dielectric material, such for example as bakelite. The interior of the casing comprises an upper chamber 49 which is connected through a pipe 5i with the dry pipe system, as shown in Fig. l. Extending upwardly in the chamber l9 to a point adjacent the top thereof is a hollow stem 52 which communicates at its lower end with a chamber 53. From the lower end of the chamber 53 a tube 54 extends downwardly to a point adjacent the bottom of the casing, and mounted in the interior of this tube is a terminal element 55 which is connected electrically through a bolt 55 with the electric circuit previously mentioned. At a point in the tube 54 spaced from the lower end of the terminal 55 is a second terminal 57, one end of this terminal being connected with a suitable. conductor element 58 secured against the outer surface of the tube and extending upwardly to a point where it is contacted by a bolt 59 which forms the connection between the terminal 5? and the aforesaid electric circuit. The lower portion of the casing contains a sleeve. 6! which embraces the tube 54 and extends downwardly in the casing to a point above the lower end of the said tube. The lower end of the sleeve 6! closely embraces the tube 54, but is provided with a groove 82 which forms a restricted connection between the space 63 formed between the sleeve SI and the tube 54 and the space 64 within the casing outside of said sleeve, and the space 63 is connected at a point near the top with the interior of the tube 54 by a port 60. The bottom of the casing contains mercury 65 which normally assumes a level approximately as shown in Fig. 4. The pressure in the dry pipe system is imposed upon the chamber 49 and also upon the chambers 53, 63, and 54, so that the pressure in all parts of the interior of the casing under normal conditions is approximately the same. Under these circumstances, when the pressure in the chamber 49 is reduced, the pressure in the chamber 64 forces the mercury 65 upwardly in the tube 54 into contact with the lower end of the terminal element 55, thereby electrically connecting the terminals 55 and 51 and closing the circuit of which these terminals form a part. If

and when the level of the mercury in the chamber 64 is reduced to a point below the end of the sleeve 6|, the pressure in the chamber 64 is bypassed through the ports 62 and B8 to the chamber 49 so that the mercury in the tube 54 will never exceed a predetermined level. As previously set forth, this circuit includes the electrically-actuated valve 6, and it also includes as shown in Fig. 1, a relay 65, which when energized closes the auxiliary circuit 3 containing the alarm 8. When the main circuit 58 is closed through the mercury switch I, as previously described, the valve element 45 unseated, thereby establishing communication between the dry pipe system and the chamber 38 of the casing 5. Similarly the relay 66 is actuated to close the circuit 67, thereby sounding the alarm 8.

As previously set forth, the clapper ll of the dry pipe valve 2 swings to an open position about its pivot pin 12. The pivoted end of the clapper, as shown in Fig. 3, is formed to function a cam to actuate a plunger 68 slidably supported in a fixture S9 tlheaded into the casing of the dry pipe valve. This actuation occurs when the clapper H is elevated from its seat, w ich forces the plunger 68 outwardly against a valve element H, unseating this valve and thereby establishing communication between the interior of the dry pipe valve casing and the chamber 12 of the fitting 59. This chamber 12 is connected through a pipe 13 with the mechanical alarm 9, this alarm being of well known type adapted for actuation by flow of water from the dry pipe valve casing through the pipe 13. The valve Til is normally retained in its seated position by a spring 14 which acts upon the valve stem, shown in Fig. 3. This spring is calibrated to maintain the valve H closed under the normal dry pipe system pressure, but if this pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum, the valve is opened to permit escape of the excess pressure from the system. The fixture Gil also comprises an automatic drip device l5 of well known character which permits escape from the interior of the dry pipe valve casing of any accumulated water therein, it being apparent that any increase in pressure in the dry pipe system due to seepage of water thereinto will eventually cause the momentary opening of the valve H, as previously described, and the forcing out of the system of the accumulated water through the automatic drip 15.

The dry pipe valve further comprises means for preventing closing of the clapper ll after it has once been forced to the open position. This device consists of a pivoted latch l6 mounted in the interior of the dry pipe valve casing, as shown in Fig. 2, and a suitably formed lug H on the clapper II. The lug l? is permitted to pass the latch 16 on the opening movement of the mechanical alarm the clapper by reason of the pivoted mounting of the said latch, but any return movement of the clapper towards its seat is prevented by engagernent of the face of the lug with the top of the latch, as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 3.

The operation of the setting the apparatus, the master closed to disconnect the water oain 3 from the dry pipe valve. With the clapper on its seat and with the levers it and it and the plunger iii in the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 3, air is then admitted to top of the valve oas' g and to the dry pipe system through the pipe Adjustment of the valve to its seat, and of the levers id and i5 and the plunger 2i as described may be effected manually by removal of the cover member it of the dry pipe valve easing, see Fig. 2. At the time that the air is admitted, the valve 1-5 is closed. The pressure thus imposed upon the dry pipe system. and, as previously described, upon the inner chamber 36 of the casing causes the sylphon bellows to expand and. carries the sleeve 23 outwardly and into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3, thereby forcing the spheres 2i inwardly upon the reduced end portion 25 of the plunger 2i and locking the plunger in the retracted position. The pressure imposed through the pipe til upon the chamber ii; of the circuit closer l is transmitted through the stern and chamber to the tube forcing the cury 55 in the bottom of this tube downwardly, and permitting the air to pass into the chamher h t, the pressure or" the dry pipe system thus being imposed upon the latter chamber. When the pressure in the system has reached a predetermined value sufficient to retain the ciapper ii seated against the water pressure of the main, the valve is opened and the apparatus is in service condition.

Assume now that the pressure of air within the dry pip system is reduced by opening of one of the sprinkler heads. The immediate result of this reduction of system pressure is to reduce the pressure in the chamber 3% of the circuit closer i. reduction of pressure is immediateiy followed by elevation of the mercury 55 in the tube Fi i resulting from the now unbalanced pressure in the chamber The mercury rising in the tube 54 cont-acts t1 e terminals and. thereby closing the ele tric circuit energizing the electrically-actuated valve t and elevating the valve element 15 from its seat. The pressure in. the dry pipe system is now imposed through open valve 3 upon the chamber of the casing 5, thereby bal ancing the pressure in the chamber on the opposite side of the sylphon 3 3 and permitting the spring 36 to force the sleeve 26 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby removing the pressure of this sleeve upon the spheres 2i and releasing the plunger iii. elease of the plunger iii permits the water pressure on the under side of the clapper ii to force the clapper from its seat by displacement of the levers and i6 and the plunger t follows: In valve i is devic is to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, the clapper then swinging to the fully open position, as shown. in broken lines in Fig. 3.

The closing of the electric circuit by the circuit closer "i as previously described also actuates the relay to close the alarm circuit ti. Also as th clapper swings toward the open position, it unseats the valve ll controlling and permits water to flow through the pipe to actuate this ale Water also enters the sham er oi the cuit closer "l and rises in this chan'iber u the pressure of the air confined in the top of chamber balances the pressure of the wa t-- level of the water is thus maintained ow top of the hollow stem 52 so that water is eluded from the latter. The effect of creased pressure in the chamber the mercury in the tube downwa. breaking the electrical oi cuit valve element 35 to seat by the valve-actuating motor. This electrical alarm but the mechanical a continues to operate as long as watt the sprinkler system. Water also plunger 2i and enters he chamber inside of the syiphon (it. Deener izw circuit as previously described valve to reseat. The water system, however, is suiiicient to unsea it, thereby permitting water to enter ber from whence it passes through th ii to the chamber 38 at the outside of tlz phon 3 3 to balance the pressure of th wi hin the chamber and thereby nre'. a e to the srlnhcn.

The aforedescribed device, by reason of its sen-- sitivity and rapidity of operation, eilects a rial acceleration in the normal operation of the dry pipe valve and in the admission or" water to the dry pipe system following the opening sprinkler head. It will be apparent, hon. that the device is operative Without the adiunc the electrically-actuated valve In hat ev the opening of the clapper i i is retarded, in .rat it depends upon a reduction in the pressure the system and specifically in the chamber an extent permitting the spring 3% to si sleeve 28 to the right to release the clapper iatching elements. If it is desired to use the system without the accelerator action, it is only necessary to remove the electrical connection to the valve 2-5, the valve then remaining seated duri g the entire operation of the device.

There may be considerable modification n dotail without departure from the principl invention as defined in the appended clai I claim:

1. In a dry pipe system having a dry 1 including a primary valve element, the com-o. tion with valve-locking mechanism nor at La.

pipe system, i means for acceleratin of said locking mechanism, said accel means comprising a secondary valve opoicwl. associated with and controlling the i said rocking mechanism, and electricai r actuating said secondary valve to rel mechanism, said electrical means inclu switch device adapted to be operated by determined reduction of pressure within pipe system.

2. In a dry pipe system having a drv pipe valve including a primary valve element loo device for the said element normally rot: said element in valve-closing positionand m for connecting the locking device to system whereby said device is adapted to be actor ated to release the valve element by reduction of pressure within said system, the combination with device of means for accelerating the operation thereof to release the valve, said accelerating a the means comprising an electrically-operated secondary valve interposed and controlling the connection between the said system and the locking device, a switch for actuating said valve to release said device, and means operative by a predetermined reduction of said system pressure for actuating said switch.

3. In a dry pipe system having a dry pipe valve including a primary valve element, the combination with means for locking the primary valve element in its closed position, said means comprising a latch, and means operated by fiuid pressure within the dry pipe system for normally retaining said latch in operative position, of means for utilizing the pressure within said system to release said latch, said latter means comprising a secondary valve normally preventing said release, electrical means for operating said secondary valve to permit said pressure to release the latch, and means actuated by a predetermined reduction in pressure within said dry pipe system for energizing said electrical-operating means.

4. In a dry pipe system having a dry pipe valve including a primary valve element, the combination with means for locking the said element in the closed position, said means comprising a latch, trip mechanism associated with said latch, a spring exerting pressure tending to release said trip mechanism, and means for utilizing the fluid pressure within the dry pipe system for normally overcoming the pressure of said spring and for thereby retaining the trip mechanism in the latch-retaining position, of an accelerator device comprising means for utilizing the pressure within said system to augment the pressure of said spring, a secondary valve controlling the operation of said accelerator device, electrical means for operating said secondary valve, and means actuated by a predetermined reduction of pressure within the said system for energizing said electrical means.

5. In a dry pipe system having a dry pipe valve including a primary valve element, a retaining means for the valve element comprising a latch and locking means for the latch including a flexible partition exposed at one side to the normal fluid pressure within the dry pipe system and adapted to be retained by said pressure in the latch-locking position, a spring for moving the partition to a latch-releasing position when said fluid pressure is reduced, and means for admitting the said system pressure to the other side of the partition to accelerate the release of said latch, said last-named means including a principal control valve movable automatically to an open posi tion when the pressure in the said system is reduced to a predetermined extent below the normal, and a normally closed secondary valve movable to open position by fluid pressure in the system in excess of said normal.

6. In a dry pipe system having a dry pipe valve including a primary valve element, the combination of means for locking the primary valve element in closed position, said means being releasable to free the valve by reduction below the normal of the pressure within the dry pipe system and including a releasable locking member and a flexible element connected with said memher and exposed at one side to the fluid pressure within the dry pipe system, said pressure acting on the flexible element to normally retain said member in an operative valve-locking position, means operative by a predetermined reduction of the pressure in the dry pipe system for applying the fluid pressure in said system to the other side of said flexible element, said applying means comprising a normally closed control valve adapted to be opened by pressure in said system materially in excess of the normal pressure, and resilient means tending to move said locking member to an inoperative or valve-releasing position.

'7. In a dry pipe system having a dry pipe valve including a primary valve element, the combination with valve-locking mechanism normally retaining said primary valve in valve-closing position and adapted to be actuated to release the said valve element by reduction of pressure with in the dry pipe system, or" means for accelerating the release of said locking mechanism, said accelerating means comprising a secondary valve controlling the operative connection between the said locking mechanism and the dry pipe system, and electrical means for actuating said secondary valve to release the locking mechanism and including a switch device adapted to be operated I by a predetermined reduction of pressure within the dry pipe system, said switch device comprising a casing containing an upper chamber connected with the dry pipe system, a lower chamber and a duct extending downwardly from the bottom of said upper chamber to a point adjacent the bottom of the lower chamber and establishing communication between said chambers, whereby the pressure in said system is normally imposed upon both of the chambers, spaced electric terminals located at different levels in the interior of said duct, and a body of mercury in the bottom of said lower chamber in which the lower end of said duct is immersed, said mercury being normally in non-contact-forming position 0 with respect to said terminals and being forced upwardly in said duct into contact with both of said terminals when the pressure in said lower chamber exceeds to a predetermined extent the pressure in said upper chamber.

8. In a dry pipe system having a dry pipe valve including a primary valve element, the combination with valve-locking mechanism normally retaining said primary valve in valve-closing position and adapted to be actuated to release the said valve element by reduction of pressure within the dry pipe system, of means for accelerating the release of said locking mechanism, said accelerating means comprising a secondary valve controlling the operative connection between said locking mechanism and the dry pipe system, electrical means for actuating said secondary valve to release the locking mechanism and including a switch device adapted to be operated by a predetermined reduction of pressure within the dry pipe system, said switch device comprising a casing having an upper chamber communicating with the dry pipe system, a lower chamber and a duct extending from a point adjacent the upper end of said upper chamber to a point adjacent the bottom of said lower chamber and establishing communication therebetween, whereby the pressure in said system is normally imposed upon both of the chambers, a pair of electric terminals mounted in the interior of said duct in vertically spaced relation, and a body of mercury in the bottom of said lower chamber in which the lower end of said duct is immersed, said mercury being normally in non-contact-forming position with respect to said terminals and being forced upwardly in said duct to electrically connect said terminals by a predetermined predominance of pressure in the lower chamber over the pressure in said upper chamber.

9. In a dry pipe system having a dry pipe valve including a primary valve element, the combination with valve-locking mechanism normally retaining said primary valve in valve-closing position and adapted to be actuated to release the said valve element by reduction of pressure within the dry pipe system, of means for accelerating the release of said locking mechanism, said accelerating means comprising a secondary valve controlling the operative connection between said locking mechanism and the dry pipe system, electrical means for actuating said secondary valve to release the locking mechanism and including a switch device adapted to be operated by a predetermined reduction of pressure within the dry pipe system, said switch device comprising a casing having an upper chamber communicating with the dry pipe system, a lower chamber and a duct extending downwardly from said upper chamber to a point adjacent the bottom of the lower chamber, whereby the pressure in said system is normally imposed upon both of the chambers, a pair of electric terminals in the interior of said duct in vertically spaced relation, a body of mercury in the bottom of said lower chamber in which the lower end of said duct is immersed, said mercury being normally in noncontact-forming position with respect to said terminals and being forced upwardly in said duct to electrically connect said terminals by pressure in said lower chamber exceeding to a predetermined extent the pressure in said upper chamber, and a bypass connection between the upper and lower chambers, the lower end of said bypass being normally closed by said mercury and being opened to connect said chambers when the level of the mercury in said lower chamber has been reduced to a predetermined extent.

10. A pressure-actuated electric circuit closer comprising a casing having an upper chamber adapted for connection to a source of fluid pres sure and a lower chamber, a duct extending from the top of said upper chamber to a point adjacent the bottom of said lower chamber, whereby the pressure from said source may normally be imposed upon both chambers, a pair of electric terminals in the interior of said duct and adjacent the lower end thereof, said terminals being in vertically spaced relation, a body of mercury in the bottom of said lower chamber in which the lower end of said duct is immersed, said mercury being normally in non-contact-forming position with respect to said terminals and being forced upwardly in said duct to electrically connect said terminals by a predominance of fluid pressure in the lower chamber over the pressure in said upper chamber occurring when the pressure in the upper chamber is released, and a bypass connection between the lower cham er and the upper chamber, the lower end of said bypass being normally closed by said mercury and being opened to connect said chambers when the level of mercury in the chamber has been reduced to a predetermined extent.

11. A dry pipe valve comprising a primary valve element and means for releasably locking valve element on its seat, said means comprising a stem slidably mounted in the valve casing and having a shoulder, a plurality of spherical elements mounted in said casing in proximity to the stem and adapted for engagement behind the shoulder of said stem to retain said stem in the valve-locking position, a sleeve embracing said spherical elements and normally retaining them in the stem-retaining position, and means for adjusting said sleeve to release said spherical elements to permit movement thereof away from said stem and clear of said stem shoulder, said stem being thereby released for movement into an inoperative or valve-releasing position.

12. In a dry pipe valve, the combination with a primary valve element normally disconnecting the dry pipe system from the water main, a discharge port adjacent the bottom of the valve casing, a valve controlling said passage and resilient means for normally retaining the valve in the closed position against the pressure in the dry pipe system, a stem slidably mounted in said passage and arranged to be actuated by the primary valve when the latter is unseated to open said second valve, a fluid-actuated alarm connected with said passage eXteriorly of said valve and adapted to be actuated when said valve is opened by fluid pressure from the interior of the valve casing, an automatic drip device also connee-ted with said discharge passage exteriorly of the said second valve, and said second valve constituting a relief valve adapted to open by a predetermined excess of pressure in the dry pipe system.

ARTHUR C. ROWLEY. 

